Method for remote medical consultation and care

ABSTRACT

A method for remote medical consulting includes collecting diagnostic data using at least one wearable device contoured to at least a portion of a person&#39;s hand, transmitting the diagnostic data to a remote location, transmitting audio data and video images of the patient to the remote location, and communicating diagnosis and/or treatment information to the patient based at least in part on the diagnostic data. The treatment information may include a prescription electronically transmitted to the patient or a pharmacy. The method includes billing of the patient via credit or debit card, bank account, or a third party, such as an insurance company. The diagnostic data as well as the audio and video data may be transmitted wirelessly via cellular or satellite communication networks and/or using a wide area computer network such as the internet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/977,654 filed Dec. 23, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/310,334 filed Dec. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.7,860,725, issued on Dec. 28, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/884,371, filed Jun. 19, 2001, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,595,918, issued on Jul. 22, 2003, and 09/741,283, filedDec. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,673, issued on Apr. 1, 2003. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/884,371, filed Jun. 19, 2001 is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/188,971, filed Nov.10, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,064, issued on Jun. 19, 2001, which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/084,647,filed May 26, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,548, issued on May 1, 2001.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/741,283 is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/084,647, filed May 26, 1998, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,224,548, issued May 1, 2001. These applications areincorporated hereby by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for remote medicalconsultation and patient care.

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine, providing medical consultation, testing, and advice overelectronic communication pathways to people at locations remote from themedical personnel providing the care has been in development. However,most doctors and patients have been reluctant to depend ontelecommunication and computer technology to perform such an importantrole in medical care having potential life or death consequences.Traditional medical training teaches that a good doctor shouldinterrogate the patient face-to-face, examine the patient personally,and discuss diagnostic and treatment considerations, again,face-to-face. Those who can still remember reminisce about the days whendoctors had the availability to make house calls and spend considerabletime with each patient to establish a personal relationship over thecourse of many years. As increasing demands have been placed on bothdoctors and patients, the paradigm for medical care has evolved torequire patients to travel to seek medical care. In an effort to controlcosts, patients are encouraged or required to seek the least expensivecare for their condition. However, patients typically are not qualifiedto diagnose their own medical condition and determine an appropriatemedical professional for treatment, whether a nurse, nurse practitioner,physician assistant, physician, specialist, etc. Even if the patientsproperly diagnose a medical condition, or properly determine thatspecialty care is needed, those who participate in a managed care plantypically are required to visit their general practitioner or primarycare physician for a diagnosis and referral for specialized care. Eachvisit may require waiting several days or weeks to schedule anappointment, traveling to a different office or medical center,completing additional paperwork (by the patient and physician), andwaiting on the day of the appointment at the point of service, all ofwhich takes time from otherwise productive activities.

The rapid and spectacular developments in telecommunication and computertechnologies have brought countries and continents closer and closertogether. With all of the available conveniences, people are reluctantto wait for anything. The need to communicate instantly with friends,relatives, and business associates, irrespective of location has becomethe order of the day. Cellular phones, and more recently satellitephones, are so commonplace that they are considered part and parcel ofdaily life. However, in spite of the availability of this technology, itstill remains a difficult and ill-structured task to consult with adoctor when one is needed, especially when away from home or out oftown. Patients often must travel significant distances, rearrangeschedules, and make other accommodations and concessions and to seekcare. As such, many patients may not seek care soon enough for optimaltreatment, and/or may forgo follow-up care.

While some prior art telemedicine strategies have attempted to overcomeone or more of the problems identified above, none have usedsufficiently sophisticated, yet user-friendly and easy to usediagnostic/treatment tools, in combination with integrated audio andvideo to make both physicians and patients comfortable with deliveringmedical care remotely.

SUMMARY

A method for implementing a virtual face-to-face medical consultationaccording to the present invention utilizes a simple and easy-to-use,compact, light weight, portable and affordable diagnostic unit capableof generating and transmitting vital bio-data to a distant locationwhere it is interpreted by a medical professional or a medical facility,in many instances with emergency medical personnel. In one embodiment,the method uses a device having a wearable form factor, such as one ortwo gloves, to generate multi-sensor diagnostic bio-data and/or deliveremergency treatment to a remotely located patient. The data generated bythe multi-sensor device is conveyed through a multi-conductor cable toan electronic transmission box containing a compact, consolidatedcircuit board unifying various processing circuitry to condition andtransmit signals for EKG, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse,temperature, and two-way audio and video. The transmission box iscapable of transferring a combined data stream over a wide area network,which may include a proprietary network, or the internet, for example.Patient care may be immediately administered as needed using thewearable sensor/treatment device, and/or through direct audio/videocommunication with the patient, local bystanders, and/or emergencymedical personnel. For non-emergency treatment, one or moreprescriptions may be ordered by the physician directly via the wide areanetwork and subsequently delivered to the patient by mail or courier.The method also preferably includes the ability to electronicallyprocess patient billing and payment information either directly using acredit/debit card or checking account, or via a third-party, such as aninsurance company or government program.

More specifically, in one embodiment of a method for remote medicalconsulting between a patient and medical personnel according to thepresent invention, the method includes collecting identificationinformation from the patient, preferably electronically using a bar codeor by reading an implanted electronic device, for example. Diagnosticdata is collected using at least one wearable device contoured to atleast a portion of a person's hand. The wearable device includes aplurality of diagnostic devices for generating signals in response tocorresponding body characteristics of the patient. The method furtherincludes transmitting the diagnostic data generated using the wearabledevice to a remote location, transmitting audio data and video images ofthe patient to the remote location, and communicating diagnosis and/ortreatment information to the patient based at least in part on thediagnostic data. The treatment information may include a prescriptionelectronically transmitted to the patient or a pharmacy. In addition,integrated billing of the patient or a third party, such as an insurancecompany, is also provided. The diagnostic data as well as the audio andvideo data may be transmitted wirelessly via cellular or satellitecommunication networks and/or using a wide area computer network such asthe internet.

The present invention provides a number of advantages. For example,instead of a patient traveling to see a doctor, the doctor can virtuallycome to the patient and maintain a face-to-face relationship even ifcities, countries, or continents separate them. The real-time, virtualface-to-face medical consultations (and/or treatment) at the convenienceof the patient eliminate travel time and substantially reduce oreliminate waiting time, while allowing medical professionals to maintainthe highest quality and dedication to the principles of medical care.The availability of online knowledge bases for diagnosis and treatmentof less common maladies provides for the highest level of care as taughtand practiced at the finest medical centers. The increased efficiency ofthe remote consultation method of the present invention affordssignificant opportunities for cost reduction in the delivery of routinemedical services. Integrated prescription processing and electronicbilling and payment are convenient for patients and reduce paperwork forphysicians. In addition, the present invention is suitable for remotemonitoring and emergency medical intervention, particularly for homehealth care and long-term care scenarios that will continue to increaseas the “baby-boom” generation ages. The method provides a personalphysician to homes, workplaces, and many other sites effectivelydelivering medical services to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

A steadily increasing trend in medical care substitutes lesser-trainedmedical practitioners for the delivery of various health services.However, the method according to the present invention actually allowsincreased doctor-patient contact while facilitating cost reductions byincreasing physician productivity. In addition, bringing the doctor tothe patient should increase patient compliance with follow-up care.While there may always be a need for office visits, the method of thepresent invention allows effective screening of many routine visits thatcan be accommodated just as easily, and at a reduced cost, at thepatient's home or office.

The present invention may also reduce the physician's cost of doingbusiness by reducing the need for expensive office space and staff atmultiple locations, without degrading the physician's role, or qualityof care. In addition, the method provides a cost-effective alternativeto provide high-quality medical care to locations usually bereft ofphysician-level care, such as on ships and airplanes, in large arenas,and at remote or isolated destinations. Furthermore, the method providescontinuity of care by allowing those traveling to be diagnosed andtreated by their own physician or physician's group who is familiar withthe patient and family medical history rather than by a locallyavailable physician that may not be aware of relevant information, andmay not be available for additional follow-up care.

The wearable diagnostic/treatment device used in the present inventiondelivers patient bio-data to a remotely located physician. The audiocapabilities allow the doctor to listen to the patient's heart, lungs,or abdomen in addition to providing two-way conversation between thedoctor and patient. Real-time video provides the doctor with images ofthe patient while allowing the patient to visualize the doctor, givingthe sense of a face-to-face consultation. The patient can provide videoof any part of the body helpful to the diagnosis or treatment as guidedby the doctor. Video images can be saved and stored in the patient'selectronic record for future reference, such as documenting changesduring a course of treatment.

The wearable sensor used in one embodiment for virtual medicalconsultations can also be used during a traditional office visit toimprove efficiency. When the patient arrives in the doctor's office, heor she could proceed to a pre-screening room to use the wearablediagnostic device to generate current bio-data for use by the physicianduring the visit. The generated data can be immediately delivered to thedoctor's PC or other computing device for review with relevant databeing electronically stored in the patient's file for future reference.For patient's willing to purchase the wearable diagnostic/treatmentdevice, the patient can participate in a virtual fact-to-face fullconsultation with the doctor from the comfort of her home. The timesavings alone, particularly for those who must contend with urbantraffic, parking, or other transportation, can quickly justify the costof the device for an individual or family.

The virtual face-to-face medical consultations according to the presentinvention also avoid exposing patients who may already have acompromised immune response due to their own illness to pathogenscarried by other patients.

Because of the inconvenience associated with a typical office visit,patients (or their parents) may pressure the doctor to prescribeantibiotics even though there is no clear medical indication of abacterial infection to avoid the necessity of another visit if thecondition does not quickly improve. The increased availability andconvenience of a virtual medical consultation according to the presentinvention may make repeated consultations more palatable when needed andreduce the dispensing of unnecessary antibiotics, and the relateddevelopment of resistant strains of bacteria.

The above advantages and other advantages, objects, and features of thepresent invention, will be readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a method for medicalconsultation according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating additional details of aninterface unit for use in a method for medical consultation according toone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for medical consultationaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a graphical representation illustrates oneembodiment of a method for medical consultation or interaction betweenmedical personnel and a patient or caregiver according to the presentinvention. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,the present invention encompasses various types of remote medical care,interaction, consultation, therapy, etc. that may be provided directlyto a patient or indirectly through a local caregiver, such as a friend,relative, nurse, technician, or other personnel. The medical care orinteraction may include but is not limited to medical advice fortreatment or referral for additional care, prescribing medication,and/or direct or indirect remote actuation of therapeutic devices todeliver routine or emergency medical treatment, for example. The methodillustrated in FIG. 1 for implementing a virtual face-to-face medicalconsultation according to the present invention utilizes a simple andeasy-to-use, compact, light weight, portable and affordable diagnosticunit indicated generally by reference numeral 10. In this embodiment,diagnostic unit 10 includes an interface unit 20 and at least onewearable device 12 capable of collecting diagnostic data from at leastone integrated diagnostic device or sensor. The wearable device 12includes one or more sensors or diagnostic devices that generate signalsin response to corresponding body characteristics of a patient 16 whenpositioned over appropriate portions 18 of the patient's body. Thewearable device 12 preferably generates signals indicative of pulserate, blood pressure, and temperature of patient 16. In addition, anauscultation device incorporating a microphone for capturing body soundsmay be integrated within wearable device 12 and/or diagnostic unit 10.Wearable diagnostic device 12 may also provide signals for determiningblood oxygen saturation and a multiple lead EKG, in addition toproviding treatment transducers for cardiac defibrillation or othertreatment as described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,224,548 and6,248,064, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, wearable device 12 includes twogloves 13, 14 that can be placed on respective hands of patient 16 orsomeone other than patient 16 depending upon the particular application.Wearable device 12 is removably connected, in this embodiment via amulticonductor cable, to an interface unit 20, illustrated and describedin greater detail with reference to FIG. 2. In general, interface unit20 contains a compact, consolidated circuit board unifying variousprocessing circuitry to condition signals received from wearable device12 for local display of corresponding information and/or direct orindirect transmission of the diagnostic data to a remote location,indicated generally by reference numeral 30.

For direct transmission, interface unit 20 may include a modem tosecurely transmit diagnostic information over a conventional packetswitched telephone network (PSTN) 40, a cellular network, or viasatellite. Alternatively, or in addition, interface unit 20 may includean appropriate computer network interface to securely transmit andreceive information directly over a local or wide area computer network50, which may include a proprietary network or a publicly availableglobal network such as the internet, for example. Preferably, a securetransmission protocol is used to ensure privacy and to provide aguaranteed quality of service for transmitting the diagnostic data.Depending upon the available transmission modes, bandwidth, and currentlevel of telephone/computer network traffic, interface unit 20 may usemore than one transmission mode/medium for various types of data duringa particular consultation, or may select a particular transmission modeprior to beginning transmission of diagnostic data, as explained ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1, interface unit 20 may transmit diagnosticdata indirectly via one or more local network devices 60. Thecommunication link between interface unit 20 and one or more networkdevices 60 may be wired or wireless. For example, interface unit 20 maycommunicate with a desktop or laptop computer 62 via a cable orwirelessly via a local access point 64. Computer 62 may provide someprocessing of signals from interface unit 20 for local display ofdiagnostic information for viewing by patient 16 or others.Alternatively, or in combination, a dedicated diagnostic display 58 maybe used to display diagnostic information. Dedicated display 58 orcomputer 62 may also provide temporary or permanent storage of raw dataor processed information for subsequent retrieval by patient 16 orothers. Computer 62 can then transmit diagnostic data over local and/orwide area network 50 to remote location 30 using any of a number ofavailable transmission modes, such as via telephone or cable modem,digital subscriber loop (DSL), satellite, etc.

Interface unit 20 may also communicate via a wired or wireless link witha network enabled cellular telephone 66. In one embodiment, interfaceunit 20 is miniaturized to the size of a subscriber identity module(SIM) card and adapted for insertion into mobile telephone 66, which isthen used to transmit the diagnostic data to any location in the world,represented by remote location 30. Mobile telephone 66 may be aconventional cellular telephone with local wireless access, oralternatively a dual mode or tri-mode phone with both conventionalanalog/digital (AMPS, CDMA, or GSM) and satellite access for worldwidecoverage, such as the Globalstar mobile phones available from Qualcomm,Inc. of San Diego, Calif. or Ericsson, Inc. of Plano, Tex., for example.Mobile phone 66 may also incorporate positioning functions using theglobal positioning system (GPS), such as the NavTalk mobile phoneavailable from Garmin International, Inc. of Olathe, Kans. Similarly, ahandheld computing device 68, such as a handheld computer or personaldigital assistant (PDA) may be used to provide wireless access tonetwork 50 using cellular and/or satellite communication links with anintegrated antenna or via a wired connection to a mobile phone 66 orother communication device.

Diagnostic unit 10 preferably includes a camera 70 to provide a videoimage of patient 16. Camera 70 may provide still images but ispreferably capable of image capture rates of 30 frames per second (fps)to provide full motion video. The frame rate may be adjusted dependingupon the particular application and the currently availablecommunication devices and telephone or computer network bandwidth andquality of service. The frame rate may vary during a particularconsultation in combination with increased or decreased resolution basedon the current use of camera 70. For example, a higher frame rate andlower resolution may be used for general conversation between patient 16and medical personnel 80 at remote location 30, while a higherresolution and lower frame rate or still picture may be used to providea more detailed image or close-up of body portion 18 to provide a morethorough visual examination. Depending upon the particular application,camera 70 may also include various remotely controllable features tofacilitate visual examination by medical personnel 80. For example,camera 70 may include remotely controllable pan, zoom, and tilt controlsthat can be operated from remote location 30. Camera 70 also preferablyincludes local controls for operation by patient 16 or others inresponse to requests or instructions from medical personnel 80. Camera70 is preferably connected via a wired or wireless communication link tointerface unit 20 which may include appropriate video processing andcompression electronics and software. Alternatively, camera 70 may beconnected to or integrated with local network device(s) 60, which mayinclude video processing hardware and/or software to process and/orstore one or more video images.

Diagnostic unit 10 preferably includes at least one microphone 72 toprovide an audio link from patient 16 or local surroundings. Microphone72 may be integrated into wearable device 12, interface unit 20, camera70, or network device(s) 60. Depending upon the particular application,microphone 72 may be linked via wireless or wired connection tointerface unit 20 or to local network device(s) 60, which preferablyinclude temporary and permanent storage capabilities to store audio andvideo information associated with a particular consultation forsubsequent retrieval. The capability to store and subsequently retrieveaudio and/or video information is a valuable resource for medicalpersonnel to compare diagnostic data over time for the assessment of aprogressive illness or in evaluating the effectiveness of a course oftreatment, for example. Representative audio information may includebody sounds captured by auscultation device integrated into wearabledevice 12, such as heart, lung, or abdominal sounds. Audio informationmay also include verbal explanations or instructions given by medicalpersonnel 80 that may be subsequently retrieved for review by patient16.

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, althoughillustrated as a separate component in FIG. 1, interface unit 20 may bedirectly connected or integrated into wearable device 12 with diagnosticdata transmitted wirelessly either directly or indirectly over network50 as described above. Likewise, interface unit 20 may be plugged intoor otherwise directly connected to local network device(s) 60. Themethod of the present invention is independent of the particular formfactor of interface unit 20, although it should embody characteristicsto make wearable device 12 relatively convenient, light weight, andgenerally easy to use for typical patients.

Depending upon the particular application, the method of the presentinvention may utilize various auxiliary input devices 90 to quickly,conveniently, and uniquely identify a conscious or unconscious patientfor the medical consultation, which may include emergency treatment asdescribed above. Auxiliary input devices 90 may include an opticalscanner 92 that can be used to read single or multidimensional bar codeinformation, such as may be included on a medical alert bracelet orother identification worn by patient 16. Optical scanner 92 may also besuitable for high resolution scanning, such as used for retinal scanningand identification. Alternatively, camera 70 may capture bar codeinformation or other optical identification information to uniquelyidentify patient 16. Auxiliary input devices 90 may also include amagnetic strip reader 94 to read encoded information on a credit card,driver's license, insurance card, or other identification, payment, ormedical information for patient 16. Similarly, an electronic devicereader 96 may be provided to read information from an identification orother device implanted in patient 16. For example, patients experiencingvarious forms of confusion or dementia, such as sometimes associatedwith Alzheimer's disease and many others, may be equipped with wearableor implanted devices incorporating GPS devices to locate the patient andencoded identification and medical information that may be accessed byreader 96, such as the VeriChip or Digital Angel products available fromApplied Digital Solutions of Palm Beach, Fla. Likewise, children ortravelers may also don such electronic devices for easy identificationusing an electronic device reader. Other implanted medical devices, suchas pace makers and automatic defibrillators may also contain informationthat can be used to uniquely identify the patient, and may include abrief medical history, allergies, etc. Of course, patients could alsoprovide identification and medical information using a combination ofmanual and automatic or voice recognition or response systems. Forexample, a computer keyboard, telephone keypad, or PDA could be used toenter a name or identification number. Likewise, a voice recognitionsystem could be used to convert or transcribe voice data tocorresponding alphanumerical data. Likewise, a voice print or otherbiometric data may be used to identify the patient. Once identified,various patient-related information for established patients can beeasily retrieved including medical history, allergies, paymentarrangements or insurance information, etc. as described in greaterdetail below.

Diagnostic data gathered by diagnostic unit 10, which may include videoand audio information, is transmitted to remote location 30 viatelephone/satellite network 40 or local/wide area computer network(LAN/WAN) 50. Remote location 30 (or an intermediate command center)includes one or more computers 100 containing hardware and/or softwareto facilitate virtual face-to-face medical consultations according tothe present invention. The hardware/software associate with computer 100performs various tasks utilizing one or more programmed microprocessorsand related temporary and permanent computer readable storage media,generally represented by reference numeral 110. Computer readablestorage media 110 may include various programs, modules, databases, andthe like to perform consultation routing and scheduling functions 112,billing and payment functions 114, and patient medical history storageand retrieval functions 116. A local knowledge base 118 may also beprovided for use by medical personnel 80 to provide diagnosis andtreatment advice. Computer 100 may also be used to control bio-dataadjustment software/hardware 120, which is used to provide medicalpersonnel 80 with flexibility in calibrating or correcting sensor outputfrom diagnostic unit 10. This provides one layer of back-up orredundancy that is incorporated into the consultation system.Routing/scheduling module of computer 100 may perform a triage functionof routing consultation requests by urgency with emergency requestsrouted to an appropriate emergency response center 130 and schedulingroutine or follow-up consultations via one or more virtual offices 140.Emergency response center 130 and virtual offices 140 may contain one ormore network devices 150 in communication with computer 100 via wired orwireless communication links as described with reference to localnetwork devices 60. Similarly, network devices 150 may include a desktopor laptop computer 152, mobile phone 154, camera 155 or handheldcomputer or PDA 156.

Scheduling module 112 facilitates routine administrative tasks such asestablishing new patients and obtaining biographical information, familyhistory, medical history, and payment or insurance information. Paymentinformation may include direct payment by the patient via a credit/debitcard or electronic transfer from a banking account (checking, savings,money market, etc.), for example. Scheduling module 112 providespatients with significant flexibility in scheduling routineconsultations by allowing the patient to view available appointment daysand times and can reduce the administrative burden for medical personnel80 as well.

Billing processing module 114 includes the ability to verifycredit/debit card account numbers for accuracy when established orchanged by a patient. This module may also include insurance billingrequirements including covered and uncovered diagnoses, treatments, andprescriptions, for example. Preferably, billing processing module 114processes charges for online consultations and directly bills theresponsible party based on the patient identification information withthe ability to electronically receive payment from a correspondingcredit/debit card issuer 160, insurance company 162, or financialinstitution 164 via telephone network 40 or computer network 50.

Patient medical history module 116 may be used to store a wealth ofinformation that may be used by medical personnel 80 for diagnosis andtreatment of patient 16 relative to an online medical consultation. Themedical history information may be retrieved almost instantly using thepatient identification information and may include stored videoinformation, both still photos and full-motion video, of previousdiagnostic tests or consultations. For example, images captured fromendoscopic studies, such as a colonoscopy or gastroscopy, radiologicalstudies, such as CT scans, MRI scans, etc., or photographs of skinconditions, etc. can be stored and subsequently retrieved for aparticular patient. Audio information, such as heart sounds, lungsounds, etc. may also be digitally stored and subsequently retrieved bymedical history module 116.

Local knowledge base 118 provides a valuable resource for medicalpractitioners 80 for diagnosis and treatment based on patient diagnosticdata captured using diagnostic unit 10. Local knowledge base 118 may beany of a number of commercially available or proprietary systems used toassist in diagnosing various illnesses and providing recommendedtreatment regimens. In addition, computer 100 has the ability to accessone or more remotely located resources, represented generally by remoteknowledge base 170, via computer network 50 for specialty care. Thiseffectively provides patient 16 with the most up-to-date and bestavailable medical care from a variety of medical research centerswithout having to schedule multiple office visits and travel to multipledistant locations.

As also illustrated in FIG. 1, computer 100 preferably includes acommunication link to various pharmacies 172 via telephone network 40and/or computer network 50. According to the present invention, medicalpractitioners 80 may electronically prescribe medication for treatmentof patient 16. The electronic prescription may be transmitted directlyto a pharmacy 172 for dispensing as specified by patient 16 and/orpreviously associated with a patient profile by patient history module116. Alternatively, an electronic prescription may be transmitted topatient 16 for manual delivery to a local pharmacy. Appropriatevalidation of a printed prescription may be provided by a variety ofsystems, such as two-dimensional bar codes, to verify the authenticityof the prescription. Prescription information may be electronicallyexchanged between pharmacy 172 and the medical practitioner issuing theprescription as stored in the patient profile to ensure authenticity andmonitor compliance. Depending upon the type of medication and theurgency with which it should be delivered, pharmacy 172 may deliver themedication to patient 16 by mail, courier, or hand delivery. Forprescription refills or long-term therapy, a pharmacy may be selectedbased on lowest cost for a particular medication without regard to thedistance of the pharmacy from patient 16 with delivery by mail orcourier service.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrates internal componentsfor a representative embodiment of an interface unit 20 used in a methodfor remote medical consultations according to the present invention.Depending upon the particular implementation, interface unit 20 may beintegrated into wearable device 12 or may be a separate component withan appropriate connector, such as connector 216 a and receiver plug 218a, to electrically couple the wearable device via multi-conductor cable214 a. A mechanical interlock or retainer (not shown) may also beprovided to enhance the reliability of the connection and inhibitaccidental disconnection during use. Depending upon the particularapplication, a wearable device 12 may include a second glove connectedvia corresponding cable 214 b, connector 216 b and receiver 218 b. Oneor both multiconductor cables 214 a, 214 b include a plurality ofelectrical conductors and may include one or more fluid conduits toprovide electrical, audio, and fluid communication between wearabledevice 12 and interface unit 20.

Depending upon the particular application, interface unit 20 may includeEKG signal processing logic and/or circuitry 220 for receiving EKGcurrents detected by corresponding sensors on wearable device 12 (FIG.1), blood pressure signal processing logic and/or circuitry 222 forreceiving systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate signals,temperature signal processing logic and/or circuitry 224 for receivingtemperature signals, blood oxygen saturation processing logic and/orcircuitry 226 for receiving corresponding signals andacupuncture/defibrillator circuitry and/or logic 228 for controllingdelivery of a therapeutic electrical shock to the patient.

As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, thevarious signal conditioning, processing, and/or control functions may beimplemented solely using electronic circuitry using various fabricationtechniques depending upon the desired form factor, manufacturing costs,and various other considerations. However, these functions may also beperformed by electronic circuitry in combination with one or moreembedded microcontrollers and/or microprocessors having encoded logicand instructions stored in associated non-volatile memory to provideincreased performance and flexibility while facilitating periodicenhancements or upgrades.

The present invention is independent of the particular implementation ofthe signal conditioning or processing circuitry but contemplates aunified, composite circuit board implementation such that the formfactor is suitable for insertion into a network device, such as a mobiletelephone or computer.

EKG processor 220 is capable of amplifying the corresponding signalcurrents received from wearable device 12 and converting the EKGcurrents to a plurality of EKG analog outputs. The EKG circuitry 220 mayinclude various components similar, or identical, to parts of the PC-ECGrecorder unit from I.P.I. Medical Products of McLean, Va.

Blood pressure circuitry 222 is capable of converting systolic anddiastolic blood pressure signals to corresponding analog outputs andconverting pulse rate signals to a pulse rate analog output. Bloodpressure circuitry 222 includes a source of inflation fluid, such as anair pump 230 for supplying a source of inflation fluid for an airbladder contained in wearable device 12, and an acoustical sensor (notshown) for detecting the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulserate signals. Air pump 230 is in fluid communication with the airbladder via the fluid conduit in cable 214 a and air conduit 231, whichextends between and provides fluid communication between femaleconnection plug 218 a of the interface unit 20 and air pump 230. Bloodpressure circuit board 222 may contain various components similar, oridentical, to parts of the UB-302 Systolic/Diastolic (Pulse) DigitalBlood Pressure monitor from A+D Engineering Inc., of Milpitas, Calif.

Temperature circuitry 224 is capable of converting the temperaturesignals to a temperature analog output and may include variouscomponents similar, or identical, to parts of the Cole-Parmer E-08402-00digital thermometer from Cole-Parmer, of Vernon Hills, Ill. The bloodoxygen saturation circuitry 226 is capable of converting signals fromwearable device 12 to a corresponding analog output. Circuitry 226 mayinclude one or more components similar, or identical to components foundon the Nonin Onyx blood flow and oxygen saturation reader, model No.8500M from Nonin Medical, Inc., of Plymouth, Minn. Interface unit 20also includes a first audio amp 232 for amplifying sound waves receivedfrom an auscultation device integrated into wearable device 12.Acupuncture defibrillator circuitry 228 selectively regulates the amountof electrical energy supplied by the defibrillator device and theacupuncture device of wearable device 12. A high voltage source 234 iscontained within interface unit 20 to supply power to electrodes onwearable device 12 to deliver an electrical shock to the patient whenneeded as determined by local or remote medical personnel.

Interface unit 20 further includes a first analog to digital (A/D)converter 236 for converting EKG analog outputs to an EKG digital datastream, a second A/D converter 238 for converting the systolic anddiastolic blood pressure analog outputs and the pulse rate analog outputto corresponding digital data streams, a third A/D converter 240 forconverting the temperature analog output to a temperature digital datastream, a fourth A/D converter 242 for converting the percent oxygenanalog output to a percent oxygen digital data stream, and a fifth A/Dconverter 244 for converting analog signals from the first audio amp 232to a corresponding digital data stream. Interface unit 20 may alsoinclude an integrated speaker/microphone 256, associated audio amp 258,and a sixth analog to digital converter 260 to enable a medicalprofessional in the remote location 30 (FIG. 1) to communicate orallywith the persons in relative close proximity to speaker/microphone 256.Alternatively an external speaker/microphone may be connected via acorresponding port (not shown), or a network device 60 (FIG. 1) mayinclude an integrated or external speaker and microphone.

Of course, depending upon the particular implementation, one or more ofthe input devices or the integrated signal processing/conditioningmodules may produce a digital data stream and would not require aseparate A/D converter as illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, an analogvideo camera may be connected via port 290 with its signal processed byvideo capture and processing circuitry 292 before being provided to A/Dconverter 294. Alternatively, a digital video camera or other digitalinput device may be connected via one or more digital input ports 300such that the digital input stream bypasses the A/D converters.

Interface unit 20 includes a multiplexer 246 for combining the digitaldata streams from the analog to digital converters and digital inputports to form a combined digital data stream. The combined digital datastream can then be conveyed to a local control panel and indicatorcircuitry 254 in addition to being transmitted directly or indirectly toremote location 30 (FIG. 1) via modem 250 and corresponding port 252and/or via network interface 296 and corresponding port 298 aspreviously described. The digital data streams from interface unit 20are then converted or interpreted into readable diagnostic informationat the remote location 30 (FIG. 1), and/or by a local network device 60(FIG. 1) to a local audio/video display. The illustrated design enablesdiagnostic unit 10 (FIG. 1) to be provided at a reasonable cost.

Interface unit 20 includes a port 264 for receiving and transmitting EKGcurrents detected by corresponding sensors to an EKG readout apparatuswhere the EKG currents will be converted or interpreted into readablediagnostic information. Interface unit 20 further includes a fourth,fifth and sixth port 266, 268 and 270, respectively, for receiving andtransmitting the conditioned analog outputs from the blood pressurecircuitry 222, the temperature circuitry 224 and the oxygen saturationcircuitry 226, respectively, to one or more corresponding readoutapparatus where the analog outputs will be converted or interpreted intoreadable diagnostic information.

In one embodiment, interface unit 20 also includes a power supply 272which supplies power, via power supply distributor 274, to all of thecomponents of the interface unit. Interface unit 20 also preferablyincludes a plurality of battery packs 276 and a battery charger port278. An optical isolator 280 electrically isolates the entire interfaceunit 20 and wearable device 12 (FIG. 1) from any destructive or damagingcurrents which might be encountered from external communication links.

A flowchart illustrating various representative embodiments of a methodfor medical care and/or consultation according to the present inventionis shown in FIG. 3. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art, the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 includes various steps orfunctions that are independent of the particular technology used toimplement the method. As such, various steps or functions illustratedmay be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel or in somecases omitted altogether. Likewise, the order of processing orperformance illustrated in FIG. 3 is not necessarily required to achievethe objects, features, and advantages of the invention, but is providedfor ease of illustration and description.

Preferably, the functions illustrated in FIG. 3 are implemented in acombination of hardware and software executed by a microprocessor-basedcomputer or microcontroller. Of course, various portions or functions ofthe control logic may be implemented solely by software or solely byhardware. The flowchart of FIG. 3 illustrates one “loop” or pass throughthe various functions or operations although various operations may berepeated as required by some internal or external event, as known bythose of skill in the art.

Block 320 of FIG. 3 represents establishing an audio/video link. Asdescribed above, the audio/video link preferably enables real-timetwo-way communication between a patient and remotely located medicalpersonnel. However, depending upon available communication channelbandwidth and traffic, video and/or audio information may be reduced inquality or frame rate. Identification information is then collected fromthe patient as represented by block 330. The identification informationmay be entered by the patient manually using a keyboard, telephonekeypad, or other input device, or using voice recognition, for example.Alternatively, patient identification information may be automaticallyobtained by the patient or another person using a device to read encodedinformation as represented by block 332. The reader may incorporatevarious technology to read or retrieve information from a device worn bythe patient or implanted in the patient. For example, the reader mayincorporate radio frequency (RF), optical, magnetic, inductive, or othertechnology to retrieve stored or encoded information that may include apatient name, an identification number, and various medical information,such as allergies, medical conditions, and the like. Encoded informationmay be contained in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar-code asrepresented by block 334, or in an implanted electronic device asrepresented by block 336. Obtaining identification information may alsoinclude the measurement or capturing of patient biometric parameters asrepresented by block 338. Biometric parameters may include a voice print340, retinal scan 342, or finger print 344, or any other uniqueidentifying characteristics, for example.

After collecting identification information from the patient, a patientprofile may be established or retrieved. The patient profile preferablyestablishes or retrieves payment information as represented by block350. Payment information may include a credit/debit card account numberand expiration date 352, banking account number and institution routinginformation 354, and/or insurance information 356. In addition, paymentinformation may require additional authorization such as an electronicsignature 358, password, validation code, or the like. For credit/debitcard account numbers, the method may include verifying the accountnumber as a valid account number using established algorithms, and/ormanually or automatically contacting the card issuer via telephone orcomputer network as represented by block 360. In addition, this step mayinclude obtaining a payment authorization code for an estimated chargefrom the card issuer or a test transaction for a financial institutionas represented by block 362.

The patient profile also preferably includes medical history informationas represented by block 370. Prior to an initial consultation, thepatient may be prompted to complete an interactive medical history formfor subsequent storage and retrieval from the patient database. Medicalhistory information may include patient biographical information, familyhistory, and diagnostic data obtained from previous consultations.Diagnostic data may include video and/or audio data to facilitatecomparison of patient characteristics relative to previousconsultations. The video and/or audio information may be collected usingthe diagnostic device according to the present invention, oralternatively may be provided by transferring digital images of variousdiagnostic tests to the medical history records of the patient database.

Patient diagnostic data is then collected as represented by block 380.Diagnostic data may be collected by placing the wearable device on ahand (or hands) of the patient or someone other than the patient asrepresented by block 382. The wearable device is preferably contoured tofit at least a portion of a person's hands and may include one or twogloves, mittens, or pads depending upon the particular application. Thewearable device is then positioned over a portion of the patient's body.To assist in proper positioning of the wearable device on the patient'sbody, instructions may be provided from the remote location using theaudio and/or video communication link as represented by block 384. Onceproperly positioned, the diagnostic device may be used to generate andmonitor various signals indicative of corresponding characteristics ofthe patient including, but not limited to, pulse rate, blood pressure,EKG, percent O2, and temperature as represented by block 386.

The diagnostic data is communicated to an interface unit as representedby block 390. The wearable device may be directly connected to theinterface unit or may employ a wireless communication link asillustrated and described above. The interface unit converts the varioussignals generated by the wearable device and/or the audio/videoinformation to a single digital datastream as represented by block 400.The digital datastream is then transmitted to a remote location usingone or more transmission modes as represented by block 410. Theparticular transmission modes or media may be selected based onavailable bandwidth and/or quality of service considerations. Thediagnostic data is generally assigned a greater importance than theaudio/video data but requires lower bandwidth than the audio/videoinformation. As such, depending upon the particular application andimplementation, diagnostic data may be transmitted using a firsttransmission mode with audio/video information transmitted using asecond transmission mode. For example, audio/video information may betransmitted using a cable modem over the internet with diagnostic datatransmitted via cellular or wired telephone network. The selectedtransmission mode or modes may provide a direct communication link 412or an indirect communication link 414. Both direct communication link412 and indirect communication link 414 may transmit a digital datastream using wireless technology 416 or wired technology 418 via one ormore devices, such as mobile device 420, telephone 422, or computer 424.Mobile device 420 may transmit using a cellular telephone network 426,satellite network 428, or the like. In addition to transmitting thediagnostic data to the remote location, information may be displayedlocally as represented by block 430.

Diagnosis and/or treatment information based at least in part on thediagnostic data is preferably then communicated by medical personnelfrom the remote location to the patient as represented by block 440.Treatment information may include audio/video information relative tothe diagnosis and proposed treatment delivered to the patient via thetwo-way communication link. Treatment information may also includecontrol of one or more therapeutic devices incorporated into thewearable diagnostic device. For example, treatment information maycontrol delivery of an electric shock via the defibrillator circuitryand electrodes for a two-glove wearable device worn by someone otherthan the patient. Alternatively, or in combination, treatmentinformation may include a prescription for medication transmitted to thepatient for subsequent presentation to a pharmacist, or transmitteddirectly to a pharmacy by computer network or telephone as representedby block 442. Prescription information preferably includes encodedauthentication information to assure the authenticity of theprescription. The encoded information may include medical personnelauthentication information, such as a digital signature as representedby block 444 or a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar-code asrepresented by block 446, for example. The authentication informationmay then be used by the pharmacy in filling the prescription toelectronically verify the accuracy and authenticity of the prescriptionby automatically or manually querying the medical provider databasecontaining authorized prescription information for a particular patient.

Upon completion of the online medical care or consultation, anelectronic invoice or receipt may be provided to the patient or a thirdparty for payment as represented by block 450. This step may includeobtaining authorization from the patient to process payment for theinvoice amount. Patient authorization may include providing anelectronic signature, password, or other patient-unique information asrepresented by block 462.

As should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, theonline medical consultation method according to the present inventionmay be used in a variety of applications or scenarios. Somerepresentative scenarios are described below.

Technician-Provided Out of Office Care—Routine and Emergency

Called by telephone or computer, a responder such as a technician,physician assistant, nurse practitioner or emergency medical technician,depending on level of need, will be immediately dispatched to thepatient's home, office or other location. The responder will carry threeunique devices for use according to the present invention: a) a highresolution, diagnostic, two-way video camera (which not only canvisualize and hear the patient but can detect subtle skin changes,observe eardrums through an otoscope or eyes through an ophthalmoscopeand hear heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope, b) a wearablediagnostic device, such as one or two gloves (used for real-timemonitoring of ECG, pulse, blood pressure, blood oxygen level,temperature, and more), and c) blood analysis equipment for immediateblood results. The method of the present invention may then employcommercially available and/or unique proprietary communication devicesto transmit diagnostic data instantly and in real-time, utilizing thehighest bandwidth and/or quality of service transmission mode orpipeline available at the site or supplied by the responder. Theresponder will also be trained to utilize a variety of treatment optionsto be used under the direction of the monitoring doctor.

Arriving at the patient's side, the responder will deploy the diagnosticdevice to establish a communication link and provide two-way audio/videoinformation while transmitting patient identification and diagnosticdata to the remote location. A doctor monitors a network device consolethat displays video from the camera hookup, allows full duplexconversation with the patient and the responder, plays audio fromdevices, and receives and processes the patient identification anddiagnostic data. The doctor will advise the patient, and/or responder,prescribe treatment, or, if needed, order transport of the patient to anoffice, hospital, or clinic facility. The method of the presentinvention can be used to respond to various medical situations rangingin urgency and severity from a rash or a cold to a heart attack, braindisorder, trauma or coma, for example. The method provides for on-sitetreatment and/or stabilization and transport. Everything performed willbe under the direct supervision of a physician and digitally recordedfor a permanent record in the patient's medical history profile.

When used as described herein, the present invention will likely replacemany office calls and emergency room visits. It will provide care topeople on ships, at sporting events, or to any location a responder canbe sent. The interface unit can communicate via telephone wire, coaxialcable, cellular phone systems, other wireless means and/or by satellitevia a satellite terminal (antenna). As such, the reach of the diagnosisand monitoring equipment itself is limited only by availablecommunication technology, which is continually providing increasinglyfaster communication links to more and more remote locations.

Remote Consultations and Care to Individuals

Individual patients can rent or purchase a diagnostic unit andcorresponding services on their own for use in their own home, away fromhome, or for relatives, for example. The diagnostic unit willautomatically connect to a patient's own doctor, if the doctorsubscribes to the service, and/or to a participating hospital or medicalgroup of the patient's choice. Doctors would then have the ability tomonitor patients with chronic conditions much more effectively using theonline consultation method described above. Doctors could also respondmore efficiently to many acute but non-emergency questions preventing anunnecessary visit to an urgent care facility or emergency room therebyreducing patient and/or insurance cost and improving patient convenienceand outcomes.

On-Site Medical Care

Corporate downsizing and cost cutting have eliminated many in-housemedical departments in large corporations. Smaller companies andbusinesses have never had them. Most schools can afford only a nurse onpremise at best. Hotels, arenas, camps, cruise ships, and many otherfacilities likewise will benefit from availability of affordable medicalcare. Many do not have a doctor or even a nurse. Those that do stillneed to rely on external resources for anything other than minorcomplaints. The accessibility to affordable, high-quality medical careprovided by the online consultation method of the present invention willundoubtedly enhance the care available at all these sites and many more.

Home Monitoring

The method of the present invention may also be used to providecost-effective monitoring services for homebound patients. Video/audiohookups and monitoring devices can be permanently installed in thepatient's home and turned off for privacy whenever wanted. The servicewill respond instantly to distress calls or to problems observed basedon the transmitted diagnostic data that patients may not recognize, orfor which they might be too ill to call for help. Oxygen and glucosemonitors can be implanted under or on the skin that will send warningswhen the values range outside of the parameters set by the doctor. Thus,a patient going into heart failure, suffering an asthma attack, or adiabetic crisis will be immediately identified with additional helpquickly and efficiently dispatched with a prior knowledge of thepatient, medical history, and current crisis.

The present invention also allows relatives or other care givers to talkwith and monitor the patient using the real-time audio and videocapabilities of the diagnostic device.

Medication Supervision

Many patients respond poorly to treatment because they do not takemedications regularly as prescribed. Monitoring devices can be implantedin the dispensing device and when a dose is missed, an immediatereminder may be sent. Programs that employ nurses to visit or callpatients to improve compliance have been very successful. Patient careand outcomes are improved and the compliance plans save money over thelong term by preventing more expensive problems. The method of thepresent invention provides a similar alternative at a much lower cost.This type of monitoring and supervision could be applied in many areas.

Information Service

Subscribers using the online consultation method of the presentinvention could have a “doctor in the house” at all times by havingaccess to medical personnel both through the internet and by directcall. While there may be a wealth of medical information on theinternet, very little is interactive or screened for reliability andaccuracy. The present invention may cost-effectively employ medicalschool level expertise in providing useful, accurate, focusedinformation that should be highly attractive to subscribers and attractadvertising and site placement fees.

Other Applications

The capabilities of the medical consultation method according to thepresent invention provides opportunities for numerous other applicationsincluding, but not limited to, personalized supervision of homeexercise, help in controlling addictions, veterinarian care, and muchmore.

Thus, the medical consultation method of the present invention providespersonal medical care to homes, workplaces, and many other siteseffectively delivering medical services to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for remotely providing interaction between a patient andmedical personnel, the method comprising: obtaining patientidentification information; determining patient payment informationbased on the identification information; establishing a two-way videoand/or audio communication link between the patient and the medicalpersonnel; collecting diagnostic data from a wearable diagnostic devicepositioned on a hand, the wearable diagnostic device having a pluralityof sensors for generating signals indicative of at least one of thepatient's pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature; transmitting atleast the diagnostic data to the medical personnel via the communicationlink; and communicating diagnosis information to the patient based atleast in part on the diagnostic data.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe diagnostic data is transmitted to the medical personnel via theinternet.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicatingprescription information to the patient.
 4. The method of claim 1further comprising electronically communicating prescription informationto a pharmacy.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of collectingdiagnostic data comprises: electrically coupling the wearable device toan interface unit; and wirelessly transmitting the diagnostic data fromthe interface unit to a network access point prior to transmitting thedata via a wide area computer network.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinthe step of transmitting at least the diagnostic data comprisestransmitting the diagnostic data via a cellular telephone.
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting at least the diagnostic datacomprises transmitting the diagnostic data via satellite.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting at least the diagnostic datacomprises transmitting the diagnostic data via a hand-held communicationdevice.
 9. A method for remote medical consulting between a patient andmedical personnel, the method comprising: collecting diagnostic datafrom a patient via a wearable diagnostic device that is wearable on ahand, the wearable diagnostic device including at least one diagnosticdevice for generating signals in response to correspondingcharacteristics of the patient when positioned over a portion of thepatient's body other than hands of the patient, the wearable diagnosticdevice being positionable on a portion of the patient's body other thanhands to collect diagnostic data from the portion of the patient's bodyother than the hands of the patient; receiving the diagnostic data at aremote location; and communicating diagnosis and/or treatmentinformation to the patient based at least in part on the diagnosticdata.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising collectingidentification information from the patient and establishing paymentinformation based on the identification information.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the payment information includes credit or debit cardinformation, the method further comprising: determining whether thepayment information is valid; and automatically obtaining anauthorization for payment of an estimated amount for services from acard issuer.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising: accessing apatient database using the identification information to obtain patientmedical history information.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the stepof collecting diagnostic information comprises: positioning the wearabledevice over a portion of the patient's body optionally in response tovideo and audio instructions received from the remote location.
 14. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the step of receiving the diagnostic datacomprises receiving a wireless transmission of the diagnostic data. 15.The method of claim 9 wherein the step of collecting diagnostic datafurther comprises collecting EKG data.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein the step of collecting diagnostic data comprises collecting atleast one of pulse rate data, temperature data, and blood pressure data.17. The method of claim 9 wherein the wearable device comprises a pairof diagnostic devices, each of which is adapted for wearing on arespective hand.
 18. The method of claim 9 wherein the step ofcollecting diagnostic data is performed by someone other than thepatient.
 19. A method for providing medical care comprising: providing awearable device wearable on a hand, the wearable device including aplurality of diagnostic devices for generating signals in response tocorresponding characteristics of the patient when positioned over aportion of the patient's body other than the hands of the patient;collecting diagnostic data, via the at least one wearable device worn onthe hand, from the portion of the patient's body other than the hands ofthe patient over which the wearable device is positioned; converting thediagnostic data to a digital data stream; and transmitting the digitaldata stream to a location for review by medical personnel.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the step of collecting diagnostic datacomprises: placing the wearable device on a hand; and positioning thewearable device over a portion of the patient's body.
 21. The method ofclaim 20 wherein the step of placing the wearable device on a handcomprises placing the wearable device on a patient's hand.
 22. Themethod of claim 20 wherein the step of placing the wearable device on ahand comprises placing the wearable device on a hand of someone otherthan the patient.
 23. The method of claim 18 wherein the wearable deviceincludes two gloves, each having a plurality of diagnostic devices forgenerating signals in response to a corresponding body characteristicand wherein the step of collecting diagnostic data comprises: placingthe gloves on respective hands; and positioning the gloves over portionsof the patient's body in response to video and audio instructionsreceived from the medical personnel.
 24. The method of claim 18 whereinthe step of collecting diagnostic data includes communicating thesignals to an interface unit, the method further comprising: wirelesslytransmitting the diagnostic data from the interface unit to a displaydevice.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the display device comprisesa cellular telephone.
 26. The method of claim 18 further comprising:communicating diagnosis and/or treatment information based on at leastin part on the diagnostic data.
 27. The method of claim 18 wherein thestep of collecting diagnostic data comprises collecting EKG data.
 28. Amethod of remotely providing interaction between a patient and one ormore remotely located medical personnel, the method comprising:establishing a two-way video and audio communication link between thepatient and the medical personnel; wearing a wearable device on a hand,the wearable device including a diagnostic device for generating signalsin response to corresponding characteristics of the patient whenpositioned over a portion of the patient's body other than hands of thepatient; positioning the wearable device over a portion of the patient'sbody other than hands; collecting diagnostic data, via the at least onewearable device worn on the hand, from the portion of the patient's bodyother than the hands of the patient over which the wearable device ispositioned; transmitting at least the diagnostic data to the medicalpersonnel; and communicating diagnosis information to the patient basedat least in part on the diagnostic data.
 29. A method for remote medicalconsulting between a patient and medical personnel, the methodcomprising: collecting identification information from the patient;providing a diagnostic device capable of generating signals in responseto corresponding characteristics of the patient when placed over aportion of the patient's body; collecting diagnostic data, via thediagnostic device, from the portion of the patient's body over which thediagnostic device is position; transmitting the diagnostic data at aremote location; and communicating diagnosis and/or treatmentinformation to the patient based at least in part on the diagnosticdata.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein colleting diagnostic datacomprises placing the diagnostic device on the patient's chest.